Obstetrical supporter



(No Model.) i

J. T. SURBAUGH.

OBSTETRIGAL SUPPORTER. No. 324,498. Patented Aug. 18, 1885.

N. PETERS. Phommnognpher. washingnm Imc.

UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICEC JOSEPH T. SUBBAUGH, OF MODESTO, CALIFORNIA.

oBsTETRlCAL sUPPoRTER.

SPECIFCA'IO forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,498, dated August 18, 1885.

Application filed February 9, V1885.

To @ZZ whom it mag/concern.'

Be it known that I, JosEPH T. SUEBAUGH, of Modesto, county of Stanislaus and State of California, have invented an Improvement in Obstetrical Supporters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description thereof.

My invention relates to that class of obstetrical supporters in which certain straps are so united and operate in unison to provide support and assistance to the patient; and my invention consists in the combination of certain shoulder-straps, body and leg straps, stirrups, knee-straps, and handles, and a backsupporting strap, and in their Various andV peculiar adjustments, all of which I shall hereinafter fully explain.

' The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective device or harness of this character, which can readily be accommodated to different persons, and which will be serviceable in every part, each part being adapted to perform its function complete, and the whole to give the necessary relief.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my supporter. Fig. 2 is a view showing its application.

A are the shoulder-straps, which cross in the back, after the manner of Suspenders. J ust under the arms they join the body side straps, B, which may be, as here shown, extensions of the shoulder straps, and have buckles a, by which they may be adjusted. The straps B pass down on each side of the body, and are joined by buckles b to the legstraps C.l These are forked and pass down on each side of the legs, and are secured by means of buckles c to the stirrups D, into which the feet are inserted. v

E are the knee-straps, which extend across the front of the legs just below the knees. These are provided with end loops e', by which they are iitted upon the leg-straps, and may thus be adjusted up and down. They have also buckles e, by which their length may be regulated. Secured to the leg-straps, at a point between the knee-straps and where the body-straps join,are handles F, which are for the patient to grasp.

G is the back-supporting strap. This consists of a wide band, having end loops g,

(No model.)

through which the body side straps, B, pass loosely.

Fig. 2 shows the application of the device to the patient, and from this may be seen its use and advantages. The pressure of downward strain of the feet on the stirrups is resisted by the shoulders acting through the shoulder-straps. The strain or power exerted by the hands pulling on handles F is resisted by the feet. Y

As the body-straps pass down the sides of the body and are joined to the leg-straps, which extend out of line with the body-straps and move toward the front, the strain of the feet, resisted by the shoulders, has the effect of pulling up or forward on the ends of the backsupporting strap, thus tightening it and supporting the back, and the greater the strain the tighter it becomes, whereby it acts as an efficient support for that part. It will not be pulled out of place because of being fitted loosely on the body-straps.

The two-part or forked leg-straps allow free play to the knees in bending the legs.

I am aware that several devices, consisting vof various straps, have been known for use in I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letl. In an obstetrical supporter, the combination of the shoulder-straps A, the side bodystraps B, forming a part thereof, the two-part or forked leg-strapsO, the knee-straps E on the leg-straps, and the stirrups D and handles F, all arranged substantially as herein described.

2. In an obstetrical supporter, the shoulderstraps A, side body-straps, B, two-part or forked leg-straps O, having stirrups D and the knee-straps E, secured to the leg-straps, and adapted to be adjusted thereon, substantially as herein described.

3. In an obstetrical supporter, the shoulderstraps A, side body-straps, B, and leg-straps on the leg-straps, and the adjustable backsupportug strep G, Secured lto and between the side body-straps, all substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH T. SURBAUGH.

Witnesses L. J. MADDOX, C. W. BECKWITH. 

